Toy balloon holder



Aug. 23, 1966 w. H. GOLDSMITH 3,267,604

TOY BALLOON HOLDER Filed June 29, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 WILLIS H.601 DSMITH L NVEN TOR.

ATTORNEY Aug. 23, 1966 w. H. GOLDSMITH 3,267,604

TOY BALLOON HOLDER Filed June 29, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 WILLIS H.GOLbSMlTH INVENTOR.

Mae/M ATTORNEY Aug. 23, 1966 w. H. GOLDSMITH 3,257,604

TOY BALLOON HOLDER Filed June 29, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 WILLIS H.GOLDSMITH INVENTOR.

BY 604m ATTORNEY 1966 w. H. GOLDSMITH 3,267,604

' TOY BALLOON HOLDER Filed June 29, 1964 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 j IIIEII I.

WILLIS H. GOLDSMITH INVENTOR.

BY (am/QM ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,267,604 TOY BALLOON HOLDER Willis H. Goldsmith, 10305 Hess Drive, La Mesa, Calif. Filed June 29, 1964, Ser. No. 378,544 27 Claims. (Cl. 4688) This invention pertains to a toy balloon holder and more particularly to a toy balloon holder that may be supported in a vertical position or in a balanced horizontal position in the manner of a mobile.

Children, as well as adults, receive great pleasure from balloons and balloon devices that resemble animals, whales, fishes, cartoon characters, or the like. These balloons or balloon devices known to the art are normally mounted on the end of sticks or pulled along by a string secured to the balloons inflating stem in the well-known manner. Such balloons and balloon devices usually have only a temporary usefulness both because of their appearance and their manner of support. Thus such balloon devices usually have a short life. After being acquired, they last only a short time until they are discarded or exploded.

It is therefore advantageous to support a balloon by a holder, which holder has utility as well as being substantial in appearance and construction. The holder of this invention supports or holds an inflated balloon in an extended position and thereby allows the balloon to be shaped and colored to resemble the caricature of animals, fish or other similar illustrations. The holder may also be counterbalanced and freely suspended allowing the balloon, holder and counterbalance to function as a mobile. While the toy balloon and holder of this invention may be supported on the end of sticks or the like, the invention is particularly adapted, and advantageously so, to being suspended in a balanced, horizontal position as a mobile. Thus, the balloon and holder may be readily assembled for use as a childrens toy, or be suspended as a mobile in childrens rooms, nurseries, or in other suitable locations.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a new and improved balloon holder device.

Embodiments of this invention include a balloon holder for holding a toy balloon in a substantially horizontal position. The balloon holder has a flared end portion for contacting the expanded end of an inflated balloon, which expanded end also has the inflating stem. A hollow member is attached to the flared portion. The holder may thus in one of its embodiments resemble a funnel. The inflating stem is projected through the funnel and out the small end. The balloon is then inflated with the diverging portion of the funnel forming a seat for the balloon. The hollow member has a pair of axial slots in its end for receiving the stem of the inflated balloon, which stem is twisted and wound around and through the slots sealing the balloon and holding the balloon in contact with the flared end portion. A counterbalancing member can be inserted into the slots of the hollow member for balancing the weight of portions of the holder and the inflated balloon. A suspending line may then be attached to the holder, preferably the flared end portion, and moved along the length thereof until the inflated balloon, holder and counterbalance are balanced in a substantially horizontal position of suspension.

It is within the scope of this invention to attach sticks or other rigid support members to the balloon holder device and thereby support the balloon and balloon holder in a more rigid manner. It is also within the scope of this invention to give the inflated balloons several shapes and configurations and various shaped counterbalancing members, so the toy balloon arrangement can more closely resemble animals, fishes, cartoon characters, and the like.

Another object and many intended advantages of this invention will be readily apparent when the same becomes better understood by a reference to the following descrip- "ice tions, when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which like referred numerals designate like parts throughout the figures thereof, and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a side view partially in perspective of an embodiment of this invention.

FIGURE 2 is a view of an embodiment of the balloon holder without the counterbalancing member.

FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 33 of FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is a partial side view of an embodiment of the balloon holder illustrating the positioning of the twisted inflating stem of the balloon and the frictional contact between the stem and the counterbalancing member.

FIGURE 5 is a top view of the partial showing of FIG- URE 4 with the counterbalancing member removed and shown in phantom in the assembled position.

FIGURES 6, 7 and 8 are views showing embodiments of the balloon holder in the various positions of balance.

FIGURE 9 is a semicxploded in part view of a modified balloon holder.

FIGURE 10 is a semiexploded view in part of another modified balloon holder.

FIGURE 11 is a view showing a modified means for supporting an embodiment of the balloon holder.

FIGURE 12 is a view showing another means for supporting an embodiment of the balloon holder.

FIGURE 13 is a side view partly in perspective of a modifiedembodimen-t of the balloon holder.

FIGURE 14 is a side view partly in perspective of still another modified embodiment of the balloon holder.

FIGURE 15 is a side view partly in perspective of the balloon holder of FIGURE 14 in the collapsed condition.

Referring now to FIGURE 1, a toy balloon holder 22 has a longitudinal hollow means 26 and a flared end means 34. Balloon 20, which may have a shape and illustrations thereon resembling a whale, is inflated by an inflating stem in the normal manner. The inflating stem 54, 62, 64 (see FIGURES 3 and 4) is passed through the flared end portion 34 and secured to the hollow longitudinal means 26, in a manner as will become more apparent hereinfater. The tail 24 of the illustrated whale forms a counterbalancing means and is inserted via slots 40 into a retained position in the longitudinal member 26. A pair of holes 28 and 30 passing through the flared end portion 34 receive a supporting line 36 that is looped through the holes and tied at 38.

As may be seen, by pulling one or the other ends of the continuous loop of line 36 through holes 28 and 30, knot 38 and the point of suspension of the balloon holder by line 36 may be moved longitudinally along the flared end portion 34. The inflated balloon 20 presses into the seat of flared end means 34 and against line 36 causing it to frictionally retain its position. By moving knot 38 along the length of flared end portion 34, the point of suspension of the balloon and balloon holder including the counterbalancing means may be aligned with their center of gravity. Thus the entire unit assumes and retains a balanced horizontal position. Line 36 may extend from a ceiling support or from other suitable supporting means in the manner of a mobile. Additional holes 31 and 32 are provided for selective rotation of the balloon holder.

The balloon may be constructed from any type of infiatable material, such as rubber, that is capable of assuming the desired shape. It is of course recognizable and obvious that the balloon 20 may take any shape desired, such as that resembling a bird, animal, fish, cartoon character, or the like. The longitudinal member 26 and its flared end portion 22 may be made of plastic, metal or other suitable materials. The counterbalancing member 24 may be made of plastic, paper or other materials, and

line 3% may be a string or other suitable lines that are well known in the art. And then, line 36 above the knot 38 could take the form of a metal member, wooden member or other rigid member, if desired.

In the balloon holder shown in FIGURE 2, the two holes 23 and 30 or 3-1 and 32 of FIGURE 1 are connected by a narrow slit 46. In this construction, line 52 will have a diameter somewhat larger than the width of the slit 46 and knot 61) will prevent pulling the end of line 52 through the slit 46. Line 52 may be moved along the length of slit do thereby allowing the point of suspension of the balloon and balloon holder to be positioned as desired relative to its center of gravity. The friction of slit 46 against the oversized line 52 tends to retain or hold the line 52 at a given balancing point along the longitudinal length of the flared end means 42. Also the pressure of the inflated balloon against the inner surface of the flared end means 42, as shown in FIGURE 3, further holds the knot 69 and the line 52 at a given position along the length of the flared end means 42. Line 52 may be inserted through holes or 59 into the slit 46 in initial assembly. Also holes 48 and 50 add to the ease of construction and tend to restrain the slit 46 from splitting along the length of the flared end means 42.

FIGURE 3 illustrates how the stem 64 of an inflated balloon is twisted through and around the longitudinal member after inflation. This restricts air passage out of the inflating stem. The stem is wound around with the neck portion 5 passing out through one aperture and back in through the other aperture with the tip held within the longitudinal means 44 in the manner shown.

Recessed slots 56 and 58 not only receive the end of the balloon inflation stem 54 but also receives the counterbalancing member 24. As illustrated in FIGURES 4 and 5, the counterbalancing member 24 has a recessed slot 68 which has a width a little larger than the width of the longitudinal member 44. Accordingly, in assembly the counterbalancing means 24- is inserted into the slots 56 and 58 to the point where the back of the slot 67 contacts the sides of apertures of the longitudinal means 26. The inflating stem 54 in passing through the apertures 25 is forced into resilient, frictional contact with the counterbalancing member 24, thereby aiding in securing the counterbalancing means within the slots 56 and 58.

FIGURES 6, 7 and 8 illustrate that moving line 52 in slit 46 along the length of the flared end means 42 changes the point of suspension 53 relative to the center of gravity of the balloon and balloon holder. In FIG- URE 6 the point of suspension is to the right of the center of gravity, while in FIGURE 8 the point of suspension is to the left of the center of gravity, and in FIGURE 7 the point of suspension corresponds to the center of gravity. Thus the toy balloon may be made to incline downwardly, upwardly or in a horizontal position as desired merely by sliding the support means 52 along the slit 46.

Another modified form of the invention is shown in FIGURE 9 wherein the balloon holder 22 has a flared end means 72 with a plurality of notches 78 displaced along its longitudinal length and being inter-connected by a main channel 76. To obtain the desired point of suspension, the end of the line 79 is passed through a hole or aperture in the flared end member 72 and knotted. Line 79 is then moved via channel 76 to the appropriate one of the notches 78 that will provide the desired balancing. If knot 8% is of sufficient size as to exceed the width of notches 78 or the main channel 76, then the hole in the flared end portion 72 may be eliminated. The longitudinal means or member 74, connected to the flared end portion 72, also has a plurality of slots 82 and 84 in which counterbalancing members 88 and/or 99 may be inserted. This provides different positioning of the counterbalancing members within the balloon holder.

FIGURE 10 discloses a balloon holder such as illustrated in FIGURE 9 with the longitudinal means 96 being capable of being moved or separated from the flared end means 72. Notches 2% coact with projections N36 to allow longitudinal meansfl to pass over the cylindrical member 104 while still maintaining lateral stability and a nonrelational connection. Both longitudinal member 96 and flared end portion 72 can be held together by the inflating stem of the balloon that extends through slots 10d and into aperture 102. Thus the stem pulls the balloon 253 into the seat of the flared end portion 72 and pulls the aforesaid longitudinal member 96 and the flared end portion 72 into a joined connection. Also in FIG- URE 10 the counterbaluncing member 98 is integrally connected with the longitudinal member 96. However, the longitudinal member 96 may be pulled and separated from the flared end portion 72 and easily rotated to place a different set of slots M8 into contact with the shoulder projections I66 thereby rotating the fixed counterbalancing member relative to the held balloon 2% This construction has the advantage of facilitating easy varia tion of the more rigid counterbalancing means and what is represented in the animal, bird, or the like illustrates on the balloon 2%).

FIGURE 11 illustrates another modification of the invention wherein the flared end portion of the balloon holder 22 has a plurality of ring-shaped indentations Hi arranged circumferentially and in a longitudinal array along its length. The suspending member 118 may be tied by knot 12%} to a desired ring indentation Elli? along the length of the flared end portion III to provide the appropriate and desired balancing. Also retaining mem ber I2 may comprise a rubber band or other resilient means that may be expanded and moved to a desired one of the ring indentation 111? in the normal manner. It should further be recognized that the entire balloon 2i and balloon holder may be rotated circumferentialiy relative to the suspending support 118 by merely sliding the line 12b circumferentially around the flared end portion 111.

The flared end portion 123 of the balloon holder 22 shown in FIGURE 12 has a ring portion 132 for supporting the balloon and balloon holder. Ring 1.32 has a plurality of apertures 134 for receiving a rigid member 158 such as a stick or the like. Member 138 may also be inserted into the longitudinally projecting apertures 136 to thereby support the balloon 20 in a vertical rather than a horizontal position. The holes 134 and 136 allow the rigid member 133 to be connected to various points around the entire circumference of the holder. It should also be recognized that member 138 may be connected to a flexible member such as a string, line or the like for supporting the holder in the manner of a mobile as pre viously described. Dotted lines 124 and 126 illustrate other obvious shapes that the flared end portion 123 of the holder may have.

In FIGURE 13, the balloon holding device 22 has an integral balancing member 15% with a channel 142 through which the balloons inflating stem 148 is passed to coact with the slots 1 26. A reviously described line suspension member 152 passes through holes 156 to provide the means for moving the point of balanced suspension along the length of the longitudinal end portion 15% giving the desired balancing.

In FIGURE 14, the balloon holding device has a flexible flared end portion 174 that is secured to a rigid holder member 168 by securing the fabric 176 to the inner surface of the hollow member 163 through use of any of the well known methods of attachment. Rib members 178 generally comprise longitudinal stick-like members that are secured to the fabric giving the fabric longitudinal stability when diverged. A longitudinal slit 1% in the fabric allows longitudinal movement of line 186, which line is secured to rib 184 by a slip-knot 132. Accordingly line 1% can be moved to provide balancing.

With the inflating stem 17% of the inflated 'balfoon I71 inserted into hollow member 168 and secured in the manner previously described, then the end of the inflated balloon is drawn into contact with portion 174 causing it to diverge to that extent permitted by the circumference of the fabric. Thus flared end portion 174 forms a seat for the balloon in the same manner as previously described. FIGURE 15 shows how the detached holder can be collapsed into a small package when disassembled.

In operation the inflating stem of a balloon 20, such as shown in FIGURE 1, in the uninflated state would be passed through balloon holder means 20 via the flared end portion and through the hollow longitudinal member 26. The inflating stern would be grasped and air passed there through until the balloon is inflated the desired amount. The stem is then twisted 64 as shown in FIGURE 3, with the end 54 passed through slot 56, wound around the outside of the longitudinal member 44 and back in through the slot 58 with the end 62 being within the longitudinal member. The balloon 20 is now inflated with the stem secured in an airtight manner to the hollow longitudinal member. The end of the balloon 20 is pulled against the seat of the flared end portion 42.

A counterbalancing member 24, see FIGURES 4 and 5, is then forced into slots 56 and 58 to the point that the end 67 of slot 68 contacts the terminus of the slots 56 and 58 at notch 25. The stem of the balloon 54 resiliently presses against the counterbalanclng member 24 holding it in position along with the general frictional nature of the contact of slots 56 and 58 with the outer surface of the thicker counterbalancing member 24.

A string, line or the like is passed through, for example, a narrow slot such as shown in FIGURES 6, 7 and 8 and the entire assembled unit supported by the line 52. The supporting line may then be positioned along the length of the longitudinal member to achieve the desired balance or tilting of the balloon 20.

Should it be desirable to rotate the coutnerbalancing member or, for example, the tail of the whale relative to the balloon 20, then this can be accomplished either by pulling out the counterbalancing member as shown in FIGURE 9 and reinserting it in other slots in the hollow longitudinal member 74, or the entire longitudinal member may be pulled from the flared end portion 72 as shown in FIGURE 10 and rotated, thus giving a new position to the counterbalancing member 98. This can also be accomplished in an easier manner by rotating the balloon 2t) circumferentially when using the balloon 'holder shown in FIGURE 11.

While it is normally advantageous to suspend the balloon holder and balloon and counter-balancing member of this invention, it may be useful at times to mount the assembly on a rigid longitudinal support handle. This may be accomplished via the arrangement shown in FIG- URE 12.

In the arrangement of FIGURE 14 the holder of FIG- URE 15 may be unpackaged and spread outwardly form-' ing a seat for the balloon. The securing of the inflating stem is accomplished in the same manner as previously described.

As may be seen, various modifications are contemplated and may obviously be resorted to by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the in- 'vention as disclosed and hereinafter defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A toy balloon holder comprising,

balloon holder means for holding a balloon having an inflating stem,

said balloon holder means having flared end means for forming a seat for the end of an inflated balloon, hollow means secured to said flared end means and being capable of receiving said inflating stem through said flared end means for sealing said inflating stern and holding said inflated balloon against said seat, said hollow means being capable of supporting counterbalancing means for substantially counterbalancing the weight of said balloon,

and support means capable of being attached to said flared end for supporting the combination of said holder means and said counterbalancing means and said balloon in a balanced suspended position.

2. A toy balloon holder comprising,

balloon holder means for holding a balloon having an inflating stem,

said balloon holder means having flared tube means for forming a seat for the end of an inflated balloon,

hollow longitudinal means secured to said flared tube means for receiving said inflating stern and securing said inflating stern of the balloon when inflated against release and deflation,

the end of said longitudinal means opposite said flared tube means having counterbalancing means for substantially counterbalancin'g the weight of the balloon,

and support means capable of being attached to said flared tube means for supporting the combination of said holder means and said counterbalancing means and the balloon in a horizontal balanced position at the center of gravity of said combination.

3. A toy balloon holder device comprising,

balloon holder means for holding a balloon,

said balloon holder means having carrying means for receiving the inflating stem of a balloon and sealing said inflating stem and holding said inflated balloon,

flared end means capable of being secured to said carrying means for forming a seat for the end of the inflated balloon,

said carrying means being capable of carrying counterbalancing means for substantially counterbalancing the weight of the balloon,

and support means capable of being attached to said flared end means for supporting the combination of said balloon holder means and said counterbalancing means and the balloon,

and said support means being selectively adjustable to support said combination at the center of gravity thereof and in a substantially horizontal balanced position.

4. A toy balloon holder comprising,

balloon holder means for hold-ing a balloon having an inflating stem,

said balloon holder means having hollow longitudinal means for receiving the inflating stem of a balloon and securing the inflating stem of a balloon when inflated against release and deflation,

flared end means capable of being secured to said longitudinal means for forming the seat for the end of the inflated balloon,

means for selectively rotating said longitudinal means relative to said flared end means,

said longitudinal means having counterbalancing means for substantially counterbalancing the weight of the balloon,

and suspension support means capable of being attached to said flared end for suspending said holder and said counterbalancing means and the balloon.

5. A toy balloon holder comprising,

balloon holder means for holding a balloon having an inflating stem,

said balloon holder means having hollow longitudinal means for receiving the inflating stem of a balloon and securing the inflating stem of a balloon when inflated against release and deflation,

flared end means capable of being secured to said longitudinal means for forming a seat for the end of the inflated balloon,

the end of said longitudinal means opposite said flared end means having counterbalancing means fixed thereto for substantially counterbalancing the weight of the balloon,

and suspension means capable of being attached to said flared end means for suspending said holder means and said counterbalancing means and the balloon.

6. A toy balloon holder comprising,

balloon holder means for holding a balloon having an inflating stem,

said balloon holder means having hollow longitudinal means for receiving the inflating stem of a balloon and securing the balloon when inflated against release and deflation,

flared end means capable of being secured to said longitudinal means for forming a seat for the end of the inflated balloon,

means for selectively rotating said longitudinal means relative to said flared end means,

the ends of said longitudinal means opposite said flared end means having counterbalancing means fixed thereto for substantially eounterbalancing the weight of the balloon,

and suspension means capable of being attached to said flared end means for suspending said holder means and said counterbalanoing means and the balloon.

7. A toy balloon holder comprising,

balloon holder means for holding a balloon having an inflating stem,

said balloon holder means having hollow longitudinal means for receiving the inflating stem of a balloon and securing the balloon when inflated against release and deflation,

flared end means capable of being secured to said longitudinal means for forming a seat for the end of the inflated balloon,

said longitudinal means being capable of receiving selective counterbalancing means for substantially counterbalancing the weight of the balloon and said flared end means,

and suspension means capable of being attached to said flared end means for suspending said holder means and said counterbalancing means and the balloon.

8. A toy balloon holder comprising,

balloon holder means for holding a balloon having an inflating stem,

said balloon holder means having hollow longitudinal means for receiving the inflating stern of said balloon and securing the balloon when inflated against release and deflation,

flared end means integral with said longitudinal means for forming a seat for the end of the inflated balloon,

said 7 longitudinal means being capable of having counterbalancing means for substantially counterbalancing the weight of the balloon,

and support means capable of being attached to said flared end means for supporting the combination of said holder means and said counterbalancing means and the balloon in a balanced suspended position.

9. A toy balloon holder comprising,

balloon holder means for holding a balloon having an inflating stem,

said balloon holder means having hollow means for receiving the inflating stern of a balloon and securing the balloon when inflated against release and deflation,

said hollow means having integral counterbalancing means for substantially counterbalancing the weight of the balloon,

flared end means integral with said hollow means for forming a seat for the end of the inflated balloon,

and suspension means capable of being attached to said flared end means for suspending said holder means and said counter-balancing means and the balloon.

10. A toy balloon holder comprising,

balloon holder means for holding a balloon having an inflating stem,

said balloon holder means having hollow longitudinal means for receiving the inflating stem of a balloon and securing the balloon when inflated against release and deflation,

flared end means capable of being secured to said longitudinal means for forming a seat for the end of the inflated balloon,

said longitudinal means being capable of having counterbalancing means for substantially counterbalancing the weight of the balloon,

said suspension means being capable of being attached to said flared end means for suspending said holder means and said counterbalancing means and the balloon from a given suspension point,

and means for varying the location of said suspension point along the length of said flared end means in a manner that said holder means and the balloon may be made to assume a substantially horizontal position.

11. A toy balloon holder comprising,

balloon holder means for holding a balloon having an inflating stem,

said balloon holder means having hollow longitudinal means for receiving the inflating stem of a balloon and securing the balloon when inflated against release and deflation,

flared end means capable of being secured to said longitudinal means for forming a seat for the end of the inflated balloon,

said longitudinal means being capable of having counterbalancing means for substantially counterbalancing the Weight of the balloon,

suspension means being capable of being attached to said flared end means for suspending said holder means and said counterbalancing means and the balloon from a given suspension point,

and means for varying the location of said suspension point among an infinite number of points along sub stantially the length of said flared end means in a manner that said holder means and the balloon can be made to assume a horizontal position.

12. A toy balloon holder comprising,

balloon holder means for holding a balloon having an inflating stem,

said balloon holder means having hollow longitudinal means for receiving the inflating stem of a balloon and securing the balloon when inflated against release and deflation,

flared end means capable of being secured to said longitudial means for forming a seat for the end of the inflated balloon,

said longitudinal means being capable of having counterbalancing means for substantially counterbalancing the Weight of the balloon,

suspension means being capable of being attached to said flared end means for suspending said holder means and said eounterbalancing means and the balloon from a given number of predetermined points,

and means for varying the location of said suspension point along said given number of points in a manner that said holder means and the balloon and said counterbalancing means can be made to assume a substantially horizontal position.

13. A toy balloon holder comprising,

balloon holder means for holding a balloon having an inflating stem,

said balloon holder means having hollow longitudinal means for receiving the inflating stem of a balloon and securing the balloon when inflated against release and deflation,

flared end means capable of being secured to said longitudinal means for forming a seat for the end of the inflated balloon,

said longitudinal means being capable of receiving counterbalancing means for substantially counterbalancing the weight of the balloon,

the end of said longitudinal means opposite said flared end means having at least a pair of aligned slots for receiving the inflating stem of the balloon and for receiving the counterbalancing means,

and suspension support means capable of being attached to said flared end means for suspending said holder means and said counterbalancing means and the balloon.

14. A toy balloon holder comprising,

balloon holder means for holding a balloon having an inflating stem,

said balloon holder means having hollow longitudinal means for receiving the inflating stem of a balloon and securing the balloon when inflated against release and deflation,

flared end means capable of being secured to said longitudinal means for forming a seat for the end of the inflated balloon,

said longitudinal means being capable of receiving counterbalancing means for substantially counterbalancing the weight of the balloon,

said longitudinal means having at least a pair of longitudinal slots extending inwardly from the end opposite said flared end means,

the terminus of said slots having an enlarged aperture for receiving said inflating stem,

said counterbalancing means being capable of being inserted into said slots and extending into said enlarged aperture frictionally contacting said inflating stem,

and support means attached to said flared end means for supporting said holder means and said counter balancing means and said balloon.

15. The combination claimed in claim 14 wherein said longitudinal means has a plurality of pairs of slots in said end opposite said flared end means.

16. A toy balloon holder comprising,

balloon holder means for holding a balloon having an inflating stem,

said balloon holder means having hollow longitudinal means for receiving the inflating stem of a balloon and securing the balloon when inflated against release and deflation,

flared end means capable of being secured to said longitudinal means for forming a seat for the end of the inflated balloon,

said longitudinal means being capable of receiving counterbalancing means for substantially counterbalancing the Weight of the balloon, suspension means capable of being attached to said flared end means for suspending said holder means and said counterbalancing means and the balloon,

said flared end means having a plurality of apertures extending longitudinally its length,

said apertures being interconnected by a longitudinal slot,

and said suspension means being movable in said longitudinal slot to selected ones of said apertures in a manner that said suspended holder means and counterbalancing means and the balloon can be made to assume substantially a horizontal position.

17. A toy balloon holder comprising,

balloon holder means for holding a balloon having an inflating stem,

said balloon holder means having hollow longitudinal means for receiving the inflating stem of a balloon and securing the balloon when inflated against release and deflation,

flared end means capable of being secured to said longitudinal means for forming a seat for the end of the inflated balloon,

said longitudinal means being capable of receiving counterbalancing means for substantially counterbalancing the weight of the balloon and flared end means,

suspension means capable of being attached to said flared end means for suspending said holder means and said counterbalancing means and the balloon,

the outer surface of said flared end means having a plurality of successive ring-like indentations extending around said flared end means and being adjacently arranged along the longitudinal length of said flared end means,

said suspension means including line means lying in at least one of said ring-like indentations,

and said line means being capable of being selectively moved to other of said indentations in a manner that said suspended holder means and counterbalancing means and the balloon can be made to assume substantially a horizontal position.

18. A toy balloon holder comprising,

balloon holder means for holding a balloon having an inflating stem,

said balloon holder means having hollow longitudinal means for receiving the inflating stem of a balloon and securing the balloon when inflated against release and deflation,

flared end means capable of being secured to said longitudinal means for forming a seat for the end of the inflated balloon,

said longitudinal means being capable of having counterbalancing means for substantially counterbalancing the weight of the balloon and flared end means,

suspension means capable of being attached to said flared end means for suspending said holder means and said counterbalancing means and the balloon,

the outer surface of said flared end means having a plurality of successive ring-like indentations extending around said flared end means and being adjacently arranged along substantially the longitudinal length of said flared end means,

said suspension means including a resilient member contracted around said flared end means and lying in at least one of said indentations,

and said resilient means being capable of being selectively moved to other of said indentations in a manner that said suspended holder means and said counterbalancing means and the balloon can be made to assume substantially a horizontal position.

19. A toy balloon holder comprising,

balloon holder means for holding a balloon having an inflating stem,

said balloon holder means having hollow longitudinal means for receiving the inflating stem of a balloon and securing the balloon when inflated against release and deflation,

flared end means capable of being secured to said longitudinal means for forming a seat for the end of the inflated balloon,

said flared end means having at least two apertures lying along its longitudinal length and being separated by substantially the length of said flared end means,

said longitudinal means having counterbalancing means for substantially counterbalancing the weight of the balloon,

suspension means capable of being attached to said flared end means for suspending said holder means and said counterbalancing means and the balloon,

said suspension means including line like means having a continuous length that is capable of extending through said two apertures and being connected to a suspending device on the outside of said flared end means at a suspension point along the length of said flared end means,

and said suspension point being movable along the length of said flared end means by pulling said line like means through said two apertures whereby said holder means and said balloon can be made to assume a horizontal position.

s es/gens 20. A toy balloon holder comprising,

balloon holder means 'for holding a balloon having an inflating stem,

said balloon holder means having hollow longitudinal means for receiving the inflating stem of a balloon and securing the balloon when inflated against release and deflation,

flared end means capable of being secured to said longitudinal means for forming a seat for the end of the inflated balloon,

said flared end means having a longitudinal slit,

said longitudinal means having counterbalancing means for substantially counterbalancing the weight of the balloon,

suspension means capable of being attached to said flared end means for suspending said holder means and said counterbalancing means and the balloon,

said suspension means including line means extending through said slit and forming a suspension point,

and said suspension point being movable along the length of said flared end means by moving said line means along said slit to a new position in a manner that said holder means and the balloon and said counterbalancing means can be made to assume a horizontal position.

21. A toy balloon holder comprising,

balloon holder means for holding a balloon having an inflating stern,

said balloon holder means having hollow longitudinal means for receiving the inflating stem of a balloon and securing the balloon when inflated against release and deflation,

flared end means capable of being secured to said longitudinal means for forming a seat for the end of the inflated balloon,

said longitudinal means being capable of having counterbalancing means for substantially counterbalancing the weight of the balloon,

said flared end means having a longitudinal slit extending along its length, a

suspension means capable of being attached to said flared end means for suspending said holder means and counterbalancing means and the balloon,

said suspension means including line means having a diameter greater than the width of said slit and extending through said slit forming a suspension point,

and said suspension point being movable along the length of said flared end means by moving said line means through said slit to a new position in a manner that said holder means and the balloon can be made to assume a horizontal position.

22. A toy balloon holder comprising,

balloon holder means for holding a balloon having an inflating stem,

said balloon holder means having hollow longitudinal means for receiving the inflating stem of a balloon and securing theballoon when inflated against release and deflation,

flared end means capable of being secured to said longitudinal means for forming a seat for the end of the inflated balloon,

said flared end means having at least two apertures lying along its longitudinal length and being connected by a longitudial slit through said flared end means,

said longitudinal means having counterbalancing means for substantially counterbalancing the weight of the balloon, 7

suspension means cap-able of being attached to said flaredrend means for suspending said holder means and said counterbalancing means and the balloon,

said suspension means including line means having a diameter greater than the width of said slit and extending through said slit forming a suspension point,

and said suspension point being movable along the length of said flared end means by moving said line means along said slit to a new position in a manner that said holder means and the balloon and the counterbalancing means can be made to assume a horizontal position.

23. A toy balloon holder comprising,

balloon holder means for holding a balloon having an inflating stem,

said holder means having hollow means for receiving the inflating stem of a balloon and securing the balloon when inflated against release and deflation,

expandable flared end means secured to said hollow means for diverging to form a seat for the end of the inflated balloon, V

the said longitudinal means having counterbalancing means for substantially counterbalancing the weight of the balloon,

and support means attached to said flared end means for supporting said holder means and said counterbalancing means and the balloon.

24. A toy balloon holder comprising,

balloon holder means for holding a balloon having an inflating stem,

said holder means having hollow means for receiving the inflating stem Olf a balloon and securing the balloon when inflated against release and deflation,

expandable means capable of being secured to said hollow means for diverging to a conical shape and forming a seat for the end of the inflated balloon,

said hollow means being capable of carrying counterbalancing means for substantially counterbalancing the weight of the balloon,

and support means capable of being attached to said expandable means for supporting said holder means and said counterbalancing means and the balloon.

25. A toy balloon holder comprising,

balloon holder means for holding a balloon having an inflating stern,

said holder means having hollow means for receiving the inflating stem of a balloon and securing the balloon when inflated against release and deflation,

expandable means capable of being secured to said hollow means for diverging into a conical shape and forming a seat for the end of the inflated balloon,

said expandable means'comprising a fabric having longitudinally extending ribs,

said hollow means being capable of carrying counterbalancing means for substantially counterbalancing the weight of the balloon,

and support means capable of'being attached to said expandable means for supporting said holder means and said counterbalancing means and the balloon.

26. A toy balloon holder comprising,

balloon holder means for holding a balloon having an inflating stem,

said holder means having hollow means for receiving the inflating stem of a balloon and securing the balloon when inflated against release and deflation,

expandable means capable of being secured to said hollow means for diverging to a conical shape and forming a seat for the end of the inflated balloon,

said expandable means comp-rising a fabric having longitudinally extending ribs,

said hollow means being capable of having counterbalancing means for substantially counterbalancing the weight of the balloon,

said expandable means having a longitudinal slit extending through said fabric and along its length,

suspension means capable of being attached to one of said ribs through said slit for suspending said holder means and said counterbalancing means and the balloon,

and said suspension means being movable along the length of said one of said ribs to selective position points of suspension in a manner that said holder means and the balloon can be made to assume a horizontal position.

27. A toy balloon holder for holding a balloon having an inflating stem, comprising flared tube means for forming a seat for the end of an inflatable balloon,

said flared tube means having means for receiving said inflating stem and securing said inflating stem of the balloon when inflated against release and deflation,

counterbalancing means being capable of being mounted on said flared tube means for substantially counterbalancing the Weight of the balloon,

and support means capable of being attached to said flared tube means for supporting said flared tube means and said counterbalancing means and the balicon in a suspended balanced position.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS RICHARD C. PINKHAM, Primary Examiner.

L. J. BOVASSO, Assistant Examiner. 

5. A TOY BALLOON HOLDER COMPRISING, BALLOON HOLDER MEANS FOR HOLDING A BALLOON HAVING AN INFLATING STEM, SAID BALLOON HOLDER MEANS HAVING HOLLOW LONGITUDINAL MEANS FOR RECEIVING THE INFLATING STEM OF A BALLOON AND SECURING THE INFLATING STEM OF A BALLOON WHEN INFLATED AGAINST RELEASE AND DEFLATION, FLARED END MEANS CAPABLE OF BEING SECURED TO SAID LONGITUDINAL MEANS FORMING A SEAT FOR THE END OF THE INFLATED BALLOON, THE END OF SAID LONGITUDINAL MEANS OPPOSITE SAID FLARED END MEANS HAVING COUNTERBALANCING MEANS FIXED THERETO FOR SUBSTANTILLY COUNTERBALANCING THE WEIGHT OF THE BALLOON, AND SUSPENSION MEANS CAPABLE OF BEING ATTACHED TO SAID FLARED END MEANS FOR SUSPENDING SAID HOLDER MEANS AND SAID COUNTERBALANCING MEANS AND THE BALLOON. 